71ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE March 6-8, 2024 KI Center | Green Bay, WI
CONTENTS
04
Event Map
06
Poster Contest & Silent Auction
07
Raffles & LCC Coffee Meetup
08
Sponsors
10
Wednesday Overview
12
Wednesday Breakout Session Details
16 Thursday Overview 18 Thursday Breakout Session Details 24 Friday Overview
25
Friday Breakout Session Details
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SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE Wednesday, March 6 8:30-11:00 WI Land+Water Board Meeting
1:30-7:00
Silent Auction, Exhibits, Poster Judging
9:00-11:00 Youth Speaking Contest
1:45-2:45
Breakout Sessions
9:30-12:00 Silent Auction Item Drop-off
2:45-3:15
Refreshment Break
3:15-4:15
Breakout Sessions
4:15-7:00
Social & Sponsors
4:30:-6:00
Conservation Film Fest
9:30-4:30 Conference Registration 11:00-12:o0 Lunch Buffet 11:30-1:30 Welcome, Youth Speeches, Plenary
Dinner on your own!
Thursday, March 7 6:30-8:00 Breakfast & LCC Coffee
1:15-2:30
Breakout Sessions
7:30-6:00 Conference Registration, Silent Auction, Poster Judging, Exhibits
2:30-3:00
Refreshment Break
3:00-4:15
Breakout Sessions
8:00-9:15 Breakout Sessions
4:15-6:00
Social, Exhibits, 50/50 Raffle, End of Silent Auction & Poster Judging
6:00-8:15
Dinner & Awards Ceremony
9:15-9:45 Refreshment Break 9:45-11:00 Breakout Sessions 11:00-12:45 Luncheon & Keynote
Friday, March 8 6:30-8:00 Breakfast
10:15-10:45 Refreshment Break, Business Meeting Registration
7:30-10:30 Conference Registration, Auction Item Pickup 8:00-9:00 Breakout Sessions
10:45-11:45 Business Meeting & Raffle Drawing
9:15-10:15 Breakout Sessions
11:00 Hotel Checkout 3
EVENT MAP
KI Center | Green Bay, WI
Riverview 3
Grand H Riverview 2 Grand G
Riverview 1
Grand E (Silent Auction)
Grand F
Youth Education Posters
West Rotunda Entrance To 1st Floor Lobby
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Grand C
Grand B
Grand D
Grand A
Registration
Main Hall / Sponsor Exhibition
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POSTER CONTEST JUDGING As part of the National Association of Conservation Districts’ annual poster contest, students across Wisconsin designed artwork around this year’s theme: May the Forest be With You, Always. JUDGING INFORMATION
The creative posters on display are county and area winners, competing for the state title! Vote for your favorite, and state champions will move on to compete in their age group for national honors.
Voting begins Wednesday at 1:30 PM and closes Thursday at 6:00 PM. Posters are on display in the Main Hall. Ballots and judging guidelines are provided in your registration folder.
SILENT AUCTION Bidding is open! Ends Thursday at 6:00 PM. Pick up your items between 7:30-10:30 AM on Friday. Stop by Grand E to see the amazing items up for grabs, and then use your phone to start bidding! You will bid online using the 32Auctions site:
32auctions.com/wilandandwater2024 If you will not be here on Friday morning to pick up your items, please make arrangements with someone to do so on your behalf. All proceeds benefit our Youth Education programs.
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RAFFLE DETAILS
1 for 3 $
Annual Raffle This year’s raffle features all cash prizes - $500, $300, $200, and five $100 prize-winners will be drawn!
4 for $10
BUY TICKETS: Grand E during open hours DRAWING: End of the Business Meeting on Friday
50/50 Raffle BUY TICKETS: During Thursday's Social Hour DRAWING: During the Awards Banquet on Thursday evening All raffle proceeds benefit our PIC Scholarship program.
LCC Coffee Meet & Greet Thursday | 7:00-8:00 AM | Riverview 1 Calling all Land Conservation Committee members! Kick start your day with a jolt of networking at our LCC Coffee Meet & Greet. Connect with fellow LCC and WI Land+Water Board members. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to your LCC role, this is the perfect time to connect and share insights!
Free WI Land+Water coffee mug! *while supplies last
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CONFERENCE SPONSORS The generous support of our sponsors allows us to provide attendees with a rich and diverse program filled with engaging presentations, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities. We want to express our deepest thanks for their support and for being a part of this exciting event. Many sponsors are exhibiting in the Main Hall, and we invite you to connect during the conference and learn about their commitment to conservation.
GOLD
SILVER
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BRONZE
NON PROFIT
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WEDNESDAY: OVERVIEW 8:30AM - 11:00AM
WI Land+Water Board Meeting ▶ Riverview 2
9:30AM - 12:00PM
Conference Registration and Silent Auction Item Drop-off ▶ Grand E
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Lunch Buffet ▶ Grand D
11:30AM - 1:30PM
Welcome and Plenary ▶ Grand D
OPENING WELCOME Welcome
Matt Krueger
Executive Director, WI Land+Water
Winning Youth Speeches Chris Hamerla
Golden Sands RC&D
Plenary Address Matt Dannenberg is the Senior Tribal Liaison for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy. Dannenberg started his career at Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters as an organizer, Field Director, and Program Director. He also served as Communications and Legislative Director at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Dannenberg is a proud member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 10
1:30PM - 7:00PM
OPEN: Silent Auction, Sponsor Hall & Poster Contest Judging
1:45PM - 2:45PM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS ▶ Details on next pages
2:45PM - 3:15PM
Refreshment Break ▶ Grand E
3:15PM - 4:15PM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS ▶ Details on next pages
4:30PM - 6:00PM 4:15PM - 7:00PM
Conservation Film Fest
▶ Grand D | Details on pg. 15 Social & Sponsor Hour ▶ Grand E Kindly Note:
Dinner arrangements are on your own! For dining options, visit downtowngreenbay.com/explore/dine
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WEDNESDAY: BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1:45PM - 2:45PM Communicating Socially Sensitive Science to the Public: Skill Building Workshop Location: Riverview 2 Presenter: Emily Schoerning, American Resiliency Engaging the public is key to building the resilience momentum our communities need. In this workshop, you’ll learn research-based techniques for communicating socially sensitive science, and how these techniques have been applied in Midwestern audiences on climate. The published techniques taught in this workshop will help you develop skills around confidently creating positive, action-oriented partnerships. We’ll practice these techniques to help build your confidence and skill around public-facing communication in a fun, high-energy atmosphere. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Farmland Preservation Basics: Farm Inspection Form Updates and Practical Insights Location: Grand G Presenters: Cody Calkins, DATCP and Landon Baumgartner, Dane Co. LWCD Join us for a session on the Farmland Preservation farm inspections. We’ll cover recent changes to the Farm Inspection Report checklist. This is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the updates and learn some practical tips and tricks from seasoned staff. This session will set the stage for future trainings later this year, focusing on refining your skills and building professional judgment for farm inspections. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Opportunities and Challenges Growing Industrial Hemp in Wisconsin Location: Grand H Presenter: Jerry Clark, M.S., CCA, Regional Agriculture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire Counties, UW-Madison Extension Chippewa County Industrial hemp is a new and versatile crop produced and adapted to Wisconsin’s climate. Many opportunities and challenges exist related to growing and marketing industrial hemp. Learn how industrial hemp’s physiology and development fit in a cropping and soil conservation system. This session will provide information about the agronomic needs of industrial hemp and its many uses for fiber, grain, oil, and essential oils. Industrial hemp’s use as a potential cover and forage crop will also be discussed. (1 Crop Management CEU) 12
Perspectives on Agriculture, Conservation, and Water Quality Location: Grand A-B Presenters: Jordan Lamb, The Welch Group; Jason Mugnaini, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation; Michelle Ramirez-White, Wisconsin Farmer's Union; Chad Zuleger, Dairy Business Association | Moderator: Matt Krueger, WI Land+Water The relationship between agriculture, conservation, and water quality has been a topic of much discussion in Wisconsin in recent years. In this moderated session, policy and government affairs experts from statewide agricultural groups will share their perspectives on the subject, and offer a look at what comes next. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Advancing Indigenous Food Systems Coordination Location: Grand F Presenter: Daniel Cornelius, Outreach Program Manager, Great Lakes Indigenous Law Center - UW-Madison Law School Building upon past intertribal successes in coordinated conservation and partnership, Wisconsin Tribes recently formed a Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition to support farm-to-community efforts that include the Tribal Elder Food Box Program and direct technical/financial assistance to Indigenous growers, graziers, and harvesters. The heightened relationships with individual producers is allowing targeted assistance across a range of programs and areas of expertise that better support unique needs in a coordinated manner. (1 Professional Development CEU)
3:15PM - 4:15PM Understanding National and State Assessment for Local Climate Action Location: Grand G Presenters: Katie Hein, WDNR; Sara Walling, Clean Wisconsin; and Chris Ester, U.S. Forest Service Learn from climate scientists and natural resources experts from the Wisconsin Initiative for Climate Change Impacts (WICCI). Our expert panel will highlight the work of the Water Resources, Agriculture, and Infrastructure Working Groups and solicit input from the audience on resources needed from WICCI to implement local climate action. (1 Sustainability CEU)
Non-metallic Mining Reclamation: Techniques that Have/Have Not Worked for Successful Reclamation Location: Grand H Presenter: Roberta Walls, Nonmetallic Mine Reclamation Coordinator WDNR Join a discussion on reclamation techniques for nonmetallic mines. A compare/ contrast of techniques at various stages of mining and reclamation that have been used will be discussed. Attendees will be given the opportunity to share their experiences and ask questions about best practices. (1 Soil & Water Management CEU) 13
The Faces of County Conservation in Wisconsin: A Time to be Brave Location: Riverview 2 Presenters: Justine Bula, Sauk Co. LRED; Lynda Schweikert, Chippewa Co. LCD, and Jeremy Freund, Outagamie Co. LCD Meet and learn from experienced movers and shakers around the state. Tailored for both new and experienced employees, this session is a great chance to meet others from around the state and hear about lessons learned from fellow conservationists. Speakers will kick off the session by sharing brief stories from their conservation career that helped shape who they are today, and then there will be an informal social meet and greet that includes key conservation partners and figures from around Wisconsin. Attendees will get to meet and ask questions of the speakers, partners, agency representatives and fellow conservationists from all areas of the state. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Building Community Capacity Through the Sauk County Farm Location: Grand F Presenter: Melissa Schlupp and Cassandra Fowler, Sauk Co. LRED In 2022, Sauk County developed a property master plan for the Sauk County Farm to ensure the continued management of the site’s agricultural and natural resources, preservation of historic features, and transformation of the space into an educational amenity for the community. It is envisioned for the County Farm to become a place for citizens to converge, learn, and experiment with regenerative and conservation-friendly farming best-practices. This session will provide a brief history of the Farm, examine the need for a property master plan, summarize the master planning process, and discuss strategies for building community support and partnerships. (1 Professional Development CEU)
The Coon Creek Watershed to Present Day: 90 Years of Locally Led Conservation Location: Grand A-B Presenter: Bob Micheel, Monroe Co. Conservationist and Mike Dreischmeier, P.E., NRCS Session Sponsor: USDA-NRCS Historians widely acknowledge 1933 as a pivotal year as the federal government authorized the nation's first large-scale demonstration project in the 93,000-acre Coon Creek Watershed. Facing environmental and agricultural crises in the early 20th century due to unsustainable farming methods, the Midwest grappled with threats of soil erosion and flooding. The Coon Creek Watershed, spanning parts of La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon Counties, became the focus of collaborative efforts among farmers, the University of Wisconsin, the U.S. Soil Erosion Service (NRCS), the Civilian Conservation Corps, and other agencies. Their collective aim was to rehabilitate soils, waterways, forests, and wildlife habitat. Many contemporary conservation practices trace their origins to this groundbreaking project Learn about the conservation history of the Coon Creek Watershed and see highlights from the 90-year celebration this past September. (1 Professional Development CEU) 14
4:30PM - 6:00PM
Conference Film Festival Grab some popcorn and join us for our first Conference Film Fest as we showcase and discuss these conservation films: ▶ Breaking Trail (30 mins) | Emily Ford, 28, Black, LGBTQ, sets out with Diggins, a borrowed female Alaskan Husky sled dog, as her companion and protector to hike the entire 1200-mile Ice Age Trail in winter. What begins as an extraordinary physical challenge also becomes a spiritual adventure. As the 69-day journey through subzero temperatures tests her physical and mental endurance, Emily and Diggins develop a powerful bond. She posts on Instagram throughout and discovers they are being followed by more than friends and family, receiving encouragement and survival packages from strangers along the way. As her story gathers momentum, Emily learns she’s become a figurehead to encourage those who don’t feel like they belong in wild places, especially people of color, to spend more time in nature. ▶ Persistence: Midwestern Farmers and Their Uncommon Crops (15 mins) | Eight unconventional Midwestern farmers share the beauty, hardships, and highpoints of their calling. This refreshingly honest documentary about the ups and downs of growing uncommon fruit and nut crops in the Midwest revels in the moments of poetry, and the unvarnished truths, found on the farm. ▶ Running Free: The Baraboo River Restoration Story (15 mins) | Throughout the late nineteenth century, as many as eleven low head dams were built along the Baraboo River in southwest Wisconsin. As time passed, maintaining these dams became a financial burden to the private landowners and communities. In the late 1990s, a number of conservation groups along with city officials and citizens developed plans to remove dams along the Baraboo River. In October of 2001, the Linen Mill Dam was removed, resulting in a free-flowing river that had not been seen there since the 1930s. This film commemorates the 20th anniversary of the dam removal project by revisiting the personal experiences of those involved and exploring the improvements to the water quality, fisheries, and adjacent communities.
Watch the film trailers by scanning the QR code located on the back of your name badge!
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THURSDAY: OVERVIEW 6:30AM - 8:00AM
Breakfast ▶ Grand D
7:30AM - 6:00PM
OPEN: Conference Registration, Exhibits, Silent Auction & Poster Contest Judging
8:00AM - 9:15AM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS ▶ Details on next pages
9:15AM - 9:45AM
Refreshment Break ▶ Grand E
9:45AM - 11:00AM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS ▶ Details on next pages
11:00AM - 12:45PM
Luncheon | Dan Egan Keynote ▶ Grand D
LUNCHEON A Conversation with Dan Egan and Matt Krueger
Dan Egan for many years covered the Great Lakes for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Now he writes occasional long-form pieces about climate change for national media outlets, including the New York Times, and is a senior water policy fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences. He is the author of The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance and the New York Times best seller The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. Egan's books will be available for purchase and signing in the Main Hall near registration. 16
1:15PM - 2:30PM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS ▶ Details on next pages
2:30PM - 3:00PM
Refreshment Break ▶ Grand E
3:00PM - 4:15PM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS ▶ Details on next pages
4:15PM - 6:00PM
Social, Exhibits, 50/50 Raffle 6:00 PM CLOSE: Silent Auction & Poster Contest Judging
6:00PM - 8:15PM
Dinner & Awards Ceremony ▶ Grand D
DINNER & AWARDS Award Categories Friend of Conservation Outstanding Conservation Employee | Administrative Assistant
2024
Outstanding Conservation Employee | Technician/Planner
Conservation Awards
Outstanding Conservation Employee | County Conservationist
hosted by
Monte Osterman
Conservation Legacy Award
Made possible thanks to the generous support of USDA-NRCS
Brad Matson Youth Education Award Poster Contest Award Winners
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THURSDAY: BREAKOUT SESSIONS 8:00AM - 9:15AM Helping pollinators One County at a Time Location: Grand H Presenters: Tim Dahl, Door Co. SWCD; Michele Sadauskas, Oneida Co. LWCD; and Tim Wucherer, Eau Claire Co. LCD There are many ways pollinator habitat can fit into a landscape. Some counties work with clients that have farmland, others work in urban landscapes or along lakes and rivers. Join county staff from three very different regions to learn how they protect and create pollinator habitat. Learn about the decision-making process for purchasing and using a no-till drill, and discuss planting plugs, integrating pollinator habitat into smaller landscapes, and educational outreach. (1 Sustainability CEU)
Understanding Neonicotinoids Insecticides: Usage, Impact on Organisms, Efficacy, and Presence in Wisconsin Waters Location: Grand G Presenters: Mike Miller, Stream Ecologist, WDNR and Carla Romano, Groundwater Specialist, DATCP Neonicotinoids (neonics) are a class of insecticides widely used on Wisconsin crops. Potential health effects of neonics on non-target organisms have raised concerns. This session will review studies examining neonics' effects on beneficial insects and the efficacy of neonicotinoid seed treatments. We'll summarize years of groundwater and surface water sampling in Wisconsin, spotlighting detection locations, concerning concentrations, and the factors influencing neonicotinoid presence throughout the state. (1 Integrated Pest Management CEU)
Safeguarding Communities: Collaborative Partnerships for Environmental Health and Clean Drinking Water Location: Riverview 2 Presenters: Chase Cummings, Dunn Co. LCD; Dale Grosskurth, Marathon Co. Public Health Dept.; Kirstie Heidenreich, Marathon Co. LWCD; Jen McNelly, (former) Portage Co. Planning & Zoning Dept: and Lindsay Benaszeski, Portage Co. Public Health Dept. WI Land+Water's Health & Conservation Committee is fostering the collaboration between county public health and land & water conservation departments as they work toward shared environmental health goals to ensure access to clean drinking water. Hear from three different counties that are working across departments to protect drinking water. (1 Professional Development CEU) 18
Technical Roundtable #1: Digest This Location: Grand A-B Presenters: Ketty Clow, Chippewa Co. LCFM, and Dr. Rebecca Larson, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, UW-Madison A discussion on the pros, cons, and concerns with manure digestion will be followed by “This was a problem and here’s how I dealt with it”—a story about waste storage construction. (1 Nutrient Management CEU / 1 Engineering PDH)
Grazing Session #1: Why Managed Grazing? Location: Grand F Presenters: Dr. Randy Jackson, Professor, UW-Madison Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences; Serge Koenig, Conservation Tech, Sauk Co.; and Joe Tomandl III, Executive Director of Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, and Grazing Based Dairy Farmer, '22 Leopold Conservation Award Winner | Moderator: Paul Daigle Managed grazing can check all the boxes when it comes to the environment, economics, and social aspects for vibrant farming systems. Hear about Grassland 2.0 and why graze dairy cattle (the Dairy Hub model). (1 Sustainability CEU)
9:45AM - 11:00AM Organizing Community and Youth Education Events Location: Grand G Presenters: Lisa Burns, Washburn Co. and Stephanie Egner, Washington Co. Learn how your county can build programs that bring volunteers, farmers, youth and community together. Washburn County partners with Polk and Burnett Counties to engage high school students in a Land Judging Contest, which rotates annually between the three counties and relies on local farmer support, NRCS staff, and volunteers. Washington County will share their 25 years of experience in creating successful avenues for their existing youth education programs. Gain insights about National Ag Day Farm Tours, Farmer in the Classroom Programs, collaborating with Producer-led Watershed Groups. (1 Professional Development PDH)
Hydrologic Restoration: An Overview Location: Grand A-B Presenters: Matt Woodrow, DATCP and Erin O’Brien, WI Wetlands Association Session Sponsor: Cedar Corporation This session will cover the fundamental concepts of hydrologic restoration and discuss the broad applications and strategies that can help build capacity for hydrologic restoration in the State of Wisconsin. Discussion topics will include recent and pending policy changes, management objectives, permitting, and how hydrologic restoration can address agricultural resource concerns and other state priorities. (1 Soil & Water Management CEU / Engineering PDH) 19
Grazing Session #2: How to change the landscape and see more farmers choose grazing Location: Grand F Presenters: Dr. Randy Jackson, UW-Madison Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences; Dr. John Strauser, UW-Madison Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences; Jason Cavadini, UW Grazing Outreach Specialist; Patty Laskowski Morren, GrassWorks Inc. and Grazing Based Dairy Farmer; and Joe Tomandl III, Grazing Based Dairy Farmer and Executive Director of Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship | Moderator: Paul Daigle This session begins with place-making to re-center the dominant narrative. Next grazing education and outreach that makes an impact will be discussed, including training technical service providers and grazing planners, understanding how farmers pursue information, reaching stakeholder groups who normally don’t participate, and identifying groups who have the greatest influence on farmers. Hear about farmer training and education by GrassWorks and Dairy Grazing Apprentice. The session concludes by exploring the needs of LWCDs. (1 Sustainability CEU)
Reaching and Supporting Small-Scale Producers Location: Grand H Presenters: Sara George, Renewing the Countryside; Kailin Muir, NRCS; and Esther Shekinah, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Session Sponsor: Wisconsin Farmers Union Explore program opportunities and best practices for reaching small-scale producers. Learn about Go Farm Connect, a farmer-led initiative to build relationships between non-traditional farmers and vital support networks. Discover opportunities for conservation on small-scale agricultural operations including new NRCS practices. Delve into the Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) Program (funded by NRCS) that creates ‘women only’ spaces for supporting landowners and farmers. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Biosolids and Nutrient Management Location: Riverview 2 Presenters: Kim Meyer, Dane Co. LWRD; Andrea Topper, DATCP; and Dr. Dick Wolkowski, UW-Madison Extension Session Sponsor: Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Kim Meyer will share biosolids regulatory and management information from her previous experience managing the biosolids program in Madison. Andrea Topper will share how biosolids data from a wastewater treatment plant can be entered into SnapPlus, along with things to look for when working with this nutrient source as part of nutrient management plan. Dr. Dick Wolkowski will bring his experience working within UW Nutrient Management Guidelines, effects of soil type, and considerations and questions farmers have about incorporating biosolids into their operation. (1 Nutrient Mangement CEU)
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1:15PM - 2:30PM Engaging Farmers and Rural Residential Landowners in Groundwater Quality Location: Riverview 2 Presenters: Kevin Masarik, Center for Watershed Science and Education, UW-Stevens Point; Guolong Liang, Agriculture Water Quality Specialist, UW-Madison Extension; and Anna James, Natural Resources Educator, Wood County Extension We are increasingly asking the question of whether groundwater quality is getting better or worse. Kevin will discuss data from Chippewa, Dodge, Green, and Sauk Counties, focusing on predictive models for nitrate in private wells and trends in nitrate-nitrogen levels. Rural landowners actively participate in these projects, providing a model for other communities. Guolong and Anna will share results of a social indicator survey for the 14-Mile watershed 9 Key Element Plan. They'll discuss incorporating social science into conservation, building community trust, and using social indicators for planning and evaluation.(1 Soil & Water Management CEU)
The River That Flows Uphill: Geologic Evolution of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley, Stream Piracy, and Reorganization of North American Mid-Continent River Systems Location: Grand F Presenter: Eric C. Carson, Quaternary Geologist / Professor, Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey, UW-Madison The lower Wisconsin River flows west across southern Wisconsin and is part of the upper Mississippi River drainage system. However, landscape features within the valley indicate that it was originally formed by a river flowing east. Analysis of subsurface geologic data suggests that this valley was once part of a river system that drained large portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin, flowing eastward across what is now the Great Lakes very close to Green Bay, WI. Glacial ice advancing south from Canada blocked this river, causing large lakes to form. As the lakes overspilled, they formed new drainage paths. This ‘stream piracy’ rerouted rivers across central North America to become the upper portion of today’s Mississippi River system. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Public Speaking: Owning the “Stage” as a Conservationist Location: Grand H Presenters: Heather Wood, Dunn Co. LWCD; Chris Arrowood, Langlade Co. LCD; and Tonya Gratz, Green Co. LWCD Do you find yourself advocating for conservation issues to a variety of audiences? Are you interested in learning tips, tricks, and strategies to enhance your public speaking skills? County conservation staff will share insights into their experiences as public speakers and how they lived to tell the tale. Topics include public speaking skills and strategies for 1-on-1 conversations, peer groups of professionals, and audiences of the public. Attendees will reflect on their own experiences, assess their current skills, and identify strategies for improvement. (1 Professional Development CEU) 21
Technical Roundtable #2: Hydrologic Restoration: Applications for Conservation Location: Grand A-B Presenters: Bart Chapman, Kelli Neitzel, Peter Wurzer, Justin White, and Randy Zogbaum, DATCP and Erin O’Brien, WI Wetlands Association Join DATCP staff as they provide a field level view of how hydrologic restoration can inform the planning, design, and implementation of conservation practice standards. We will take a watershed view and identify landscape features and hydrologic alterations within a watershed, discuss how stacking conservation practices from the headwaters down to the mouth can help reverse the alterations to the hydrologic cycle, and how we might mitigate some of the impacts that have occurred on the landscape. (1 Soil & Water Management CEU / Engineering PDH)
Wisconsin’s Nine Key Element Watershed Plans – Current Status and County Implementation Location: Grand G Presenters: Andrew Craig, WDNR and panel of LWCD staff Andrew Craig will give a brief summary on the current number, location, type and expiration dates for 9 Key Element watershed-based plans in Wisconsin. Then, the session will feature a panel LWCD staff sharing their experiences and lessons learned from working to implement plan milestones. They will discuss how many plans they can realistically support with current staff levels, interest in renewing existing plans before/as they expire, and funding challenges. (1 Professional Development CEU)
3:00PM - 4:15PM Reel Conservation: Making an Impact with Videos Location: Grand H Presenters: Dan Smith, UW-Madison Extension; Matthew Oehmichen, Short Lane Ag Supply; and Emily Schoerning, American Resiliency Join the WI Land+Water Outreach Committee for a Q&A round table that dives into the dynamic world of in-field film making for conservation. Learn about essential techniques for crafting compelling narratives, selecting the right equipment, and harnessing algorithms to amplify your impact. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Accounting for Carbon on the Landscape Location: Grand G Presenters: Michelle Probst and Kyle Minks, Dane Co. LWRD; and Christina Anderson, WI Land+Water Dane County’s Climate Action Plan puts the County on track to be carbon neutral by 2030. Dane County LWRD staff will share their approach for quantifying carbon sequestration through direct measurement and modeling to track progress towards being carbon neutral. WI Land+Water staff will highlight the USDA greenhouse gas accounting tool suite, COMET to show how to estimate sequestration potential at the field or county level. (1 Crop Management CEU) 22
Selling Conservation to Landowners Location: Grand A-B Presenters: Paul Dietmann, Senior Focused Lending Specialist, Compeer Financial and Serge Koenig, Sauk Co,. LRED Most conservation professionals have expertise in explaining the environmental and agronomic benefits of conservation practices to landowners. A better understanding of farm finances and the potential economic benefits resulting from adoption of soil health practices can take program success to a new level. In this workshop we’ll explain farm enterprise budgets and cash flow. We’ll discuss the economics of some of the most commonly adopted conservation practices. Finally, we’ll offer suggestions to help conservation professionals become more comfortable discussing numbers with landowners. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Technical Roundtable #3: ArcPRO/Civil 3D Integration Location: Riverview 2 Presenters: John Ferguson, 911 GIS Coordinator, Chippewa Co.; Kelli Neitzel, Environmental Specialist, DATCP; and Ketty Clow, Environmental Engineer, Chippewa Co. Want to design your conservation projects in less time? Join us as we demo a project integrating Esri ArcGIS software and AutoCAD Civil 3D. We will convert an existing ArcMAP project to an ArcPRO project, take the data from ArcPRO and integrate it to AutoCAD Civil 3D by setting up a project, bringing in contours and survey points, grading the site, and cutting a profile. We’ll also show you some ArcPRO and CAD tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way. Those with a general knowledge of ArcGIS Software and Civil 3D will get the most out of this session. (1 Professional Development CEU / Engineering PDH)
Ashland County’s Act 157 Natural Flood Management Demonstration Project Location: Grand F Presenters: Kyle Magyera, WI Wetlands Association, Seth Hackbarth and MaryJo Gingras Ashland Co. LWCD Session Sponsor: Wisconsin Coastal Management Program Ashland County, in collaboration with the WI Wetlands Association and partners, is addressing flood resilience in the Marengo River Watershed by focusing on Natural Flood Management (NFM). Leveraging legislative support, they developed a comprehensive plan to prioritize, design, and implement NFM projects to mitigate flood hazards and improve water infrastructure. This presentation covers project background, site selection, implementation challenges, and recommendations for reducing flood risks and enhancing water management. (1 Soil & Water Management CEU / 1 Engineering PDH)
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FRIDAY: OVERVIEW 6:30AM - 8:00AM
Breakfast ▶ Grand D
7:30AM - 10:30AM
Conference Registration & Silent Auction Item Pickup ▶ Grand E
8:00AM - 9:00AM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS ▶ Details on next pages
9:15AM - 10:15AM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS ▶ Details on next pages
10:15AM - 10:45AM
Refreshments & Business Meeting Registration ▶ Main Hall
10:45AM - 11:45AM
Business Meeting & Raffle Drawing ▶ Grand D
WI LAND+WATER WOULD LIKE TO SAY
thank you to the participants, sponsors, and agency partners for helping to make our 71st Annual Conference possible! We hope to see you again next year:
72nd Annual Conference March 5-7, 2025 KI Convention Center Green Bay, WI 24
FRIDAY: BREAKOUT SESSIONS 8:00AM - 9:00AM Evaluating Farmer Networks: Recommendations and Scaling Up Mentorship Programs and Identifying Support Needs for Farmer-led Groups Location: Riverview 2 Presenters: Whitney Prestby and Anna James, UW-Madison Extension Natural Resources Educators (NREs) with the UW-Madison Division of Extension provide outreach support for both Demonstration Farm Networks and Producer-Led Watershed groups (PLWGs). NREs provided support in designing the evaluation to understanding the program’s impact and recommendations for scaling it up. To understand the support groups receive from partners, NREs have conducted a statewide evaluation. Presenters will share findings from a survey and series of interviews designed to inform decisions on the types of support that are most beneficial and needed by farmer-led groups.(1 Professional Development CEU)
Integrating Volunteer Stream Monitoring into Your Conservation Efforts Location: Grand H Presenters: Katy Bradford, Water Action Volunteers Program Manager, UW-Madison Extension and Emily Heald, Rivers Educator, UW-Madison Extension For over 25 years, the Water Action Volunteers (WAV) program has provided free training, equipment, and support for volunteer stream monitors and local partners who are interested in monitoring the water quality of wadeable streams and rivers. Learn how we support partners to grow volunteer stream monitoring groups. We will cover the types of monitoring that volunteers do, share examples of counties that have active WAV stream monitoring groups, share where to find the data and how to use it, and answer questions about the program. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Renewable Energy Projects: The Good, Bad, and Ugly Location: Grand A-B Presenters: Kurt Calkins, Columbia Co. LWCD and Erik Heagle, Grant Co. CSZD Kurt Calkins will highlight the challenges and success that Columbia County has worked through since 2019, including intense development pressure from Solar Energy Generating Facilities. He will showcase the road map they have developed to address citizen concerns considering the regulatory restrictions found in Wis. Stat. § 66.0401(1m). Erik Heagle will discuss wind energy projects in Grant County and the pressure received from the public and outside influences. He will talk about PSC 128, Grant County’s Wind Siting Ordinance, appeals, and share stories and opinions from their most recent project. (1 Professional Development CEU) 25
Collaboration Around Water: The Unifying Resource Location: Grand G Presenter: Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, MMSD The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) utilizes water as a rallying point to develop partnerships and collaborations. These watershed partnerships have helped the Milwaukee region reduce the volume of sewer overflows, naturalize waterways, expand green infrastructure, work with agriculture, and restore habitat. The results are starting to materialize through improved neighborhoods, cleaner water, expanded habitat, and less flooding. This 25-year effort will be described during this presentation. (1 Soil & Water Management CEU)
SITCOM’s Interagency Mentor Program for Conservation Professionals: Program Kick-off! Location: Grand F Presenters: Michael Hook, WI Land+Water and Mentorship Program participants Learn more about the mentorship program, meet pilot participants, and learn how to join. Interested in having a mentor, being a mentor, or being connected with your peers? The State Interagency Training Committee (SITCOM) has recently completed the pilot for a conservation mentorship program. (1 Professional Development CEU)
9:15AM - 10:15AM Opportunities to Implement Agroforestry in Wisconsin Location: Grand F Presenters: Matt Wilson, Savanna Institute and Allan Braun, NRCS Session Sponsor: Savanna Institute Agroforestry can bring many benefits to the land and those who manage it. In this session, the presenters will share examples of farms that are implementing agroforestry practices such as alley cropping, silvopasture, and windbreaks. We’ll explore opportunities for technical assistance and funding, as well as some of the complexities and challenges of adding trees to an agricultural operation. (1 Crop Management CEU)
County Policies to Protect Groundwater Quality Location: Riverview 2 Presenters: Lynn Markham, Center for Land Use Education; Jen McNelly, Extension Groundwater Educator for Central Wisconsin; and Todd Wahler, Director, Waushara Co. LC&Z Want to learn about what policies central Wisconsin counties have adopted to protect their groundwater? We’ll review survey results about how counties are using comprehensive plans, zoning districts and lot sizes, land division ordinances and well abandonment to protect groundwater quality. (1 Soil & Water Management CEU) 26
Beavers, for Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, and Restoring the Hydrology of Lake Superior Location: Grand A-B Presenter: Bob Boucher, President, Superior Bio Conservancy and Founder of Milwaukee RiverKeeper Beaver ponds and canals created by dams are the natal structure of all rivers in North America. Rivers that are “Fully Beavered” have numerous ponds in the upper branches and are rich in supporting biodiversity, while also providing critical water quality benefits. Beaver dams, with the resulting ponds and canals filter water, recharge ground water, reduce peak flows during flooding events, cool water in summer and warm it in winter. With climate change we are seeing instability in weather patterns. We are also in global biodiversity crisis. At this presentation you will learn how restoring beaver populations and the structures they build is the most cost effective thing we can do for the health of the Lake Superior Watershed while supporting the biodiversity within it. (1 Professional Development CEU)
Using Normalized Difference Tillage Index (NDTI) to assess Cropland Management on a Large Scale Location: Grand G Presenter: Nick Peltier, Brown Co. LWCD Learn how Brown County has been using publicly available satellite data and GIS to assess cropland management. With a little field verification, NDTI can give you information about tillage intensity and residue cover over an area as large as a county. Using this technique county staff have been able to determine how cropland management trends change spatially and temporally. NDTI can be useful information when making determinations on what lands need to be prioritized for BMPs and can serve as a measuring stick for your conservation efforts. (1 Crop Management CEU)
Investigating Alignment of Agricultural Land Management Policies and Standards with Water Quality Outcomes – Lessons from Data, Models, and Interviews Location: Grand H Presenter: Eric Booth, PhD, Department of Agronomy, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, UW- Madison Policies – and the programs and practices that result from them – are ideally designed to align well with certain outcomes. In the worlds of agriculture, land, and water policy, multiple (often competing) objectives can lead to cases where alignment of policy with desired water quality outcomes (standards) is difficult to achieve. In this session, we will present several examples – using recent data and models along with interviews from local managers and stakeholders – of this policy challenge from the Northeast Lakeshore region and ask for feedback and discussion on how best to improve alignment. (1 Professional Development CEU)
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Welcome to Green Bay! We're thrilled you're here, and we're excited for another opportunity to network, learn, and grow together. We hope the coming days will leave you feeling connected to and inspired by your Wisconsin conservation community! - WI Land+Water Staff
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